Automatically variable cone friction drive



Oct. 17, 1950 M. TEIGMAN AUTOMATICALLY VARIABLE CONE FRICTION DRIVE Filed Feb. 15, 1946 hlllilll\lill IIIWMH INVENTOR flax TeiZman BY x/ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1 7,

UNITED :"s T Ar ES AUTOMATICALLY yARIABLE GONE FRICTION-DRIVE MaX Tei gnian, New York, N. Y. Application February 15,4946; Serial No. 647 1193 This" invention relates to automatic" variable drive.

An object of this invention is toprovid'e a'drive ortran'smission mechanism which is so arranged that the ou'tput speed increases automatically with increasein'input speed, but in "greater proportion tothe'increase of theinput speed.

A further object ofthis' invention isto' provide a transmission 'or"diiv which is so arranged as tomake it'diflicul't fo'rthe' 'input'd'rive to'be overloaded.

Still another object of this invention is't'o' provide a transmission'or drive which is soarr'an'ged that under 'load' "the output speed quickly decreases, 'therebypreventin the'driv'ing power from being overloaded. If a"'vehi'c1e provided to a greater degree thanahe slow down' 'ofthe input so as to make it easier forft'h vehicle to climb a hill'or to make it easy'topa'ss another car on the road. Under no load for a given input speed itshi ghest possible output is'very quickly reached.

Still another object of this invention is td'provide'an'imprciVed transmissionf the character described which may beemployedinconjunction with electricmotors, gasoline motors, or any other rotary engines and may 'be used in airplanesgbuses, tractors, or for any rotary drive which involves a revolving input and arevolving output shaft. When used in conjunction with an electric motor my improved transmission will eliminate starting "box because the electric. current necessary tostart is relatively low.

Yet another object of this inventionisto' provide an improved variable drive of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall have a variety of applications, and which shall be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope .of application will be indicated in'the following claims. p

In the accompanying drawing, in which is ShQWn various possible illustrative embodiments I ,o'flthis-inventi on, I I n 1 is a top-plan view of a variable drive I embodying the invention; A :Fig. 2 is a top plan view of variableydrive embodyingjthe invention and illustrating a modified PF W Q Eig. 3is a topplanview of a detail; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view takenon line b OfFig.3. V v

aerating now in detail to the drawing, [0 des- -ignates anautomatic variable drive embodying 'fthe invention, The drive comprises a rotary, .non shdably'mounted input shaft H which may 'betheputput shaft of a vehicle motor or engine, 'ndl'i'designates an output shaft which maybe nne'cted by any suitable connectionto a wheel of the vehicle.

A Connected to the 'rotaryshaft l! is a governor -l3.' Said governor is is connected to a shaft l4 'pol airi'al' with-shaft l|. On shaft ll is-a collar "-l5',.'provided with a plurality of apertured ears [6 iconnected .by links ll to governor weights [8. The'governor weights I8 are provided with aperitured ears l 9 to which said links it are connected. l'saidfweights are also provided with apertured enszg connected by links 2! to ears 22 on a-col- "Tlai" 2s fixed'to the shaft 16. The onar' E lis-at tat end-'of'shaftld. At the other end of shaft/I l gt is' annula f friction disc 21. 'Ifhe shaft 14 is siidably as well as rotatablysupported-l in bearm zs.

f sha'ft'llmay be provided with an. extension 'Ila received in Socket H1) in shaft M. The

' weights I 8 are-interconnected by tension spring flsdjslidably and rotatably supported in bearj'ing3 i!' is ashaft' "3i co-axial with shaft l4. -On 's haft"'3lare a pair of oppositely extending pins fl'lb Rotatably and slidably supported in bear- 40 ing'30a is a shaft 3Ia co-axial with shaft -3l. on'sh'aft' am is a collar ale. Surrounding shaft 31 a. is asleeve 31d biased to-the right looking at Fig. 1' by'm'eans of suitably anchored tension ispri'ngs 'fi le. Shaft Cila' is formed with a socket '3lf rotatably and slidablyreceiving the adjacent end of shaft 3|. The socket 31] is formed with a pairfof opposite cammed slots 3 lg through which-the pins-3i?) project. Shaft H is inter- -connected to shaft Ella by coil tension spring 3lh disposed within the socket. On shaft 3la.

is"v asecond collar 3M adapted to contact a suitable annular stop 3E7 surrounding shaft 3m. It will now be" understood that the sleeve 31d may L'enga'gethe collar 3lc and will move shaft 3lato theright'until collar an contacts the stop "m.

k Fixed on shaft am for rotation therewith is a friction wheel 32. At one end of shaft 3| is a circular cage 34, surrounding disc 21 and having an inturned annular lip or flange engaging the inner side of said disc.

It will now be understood that when the output shaft ii speeds up, the weights IE will fly out and draw shaft id to the left. Disc 2! will contact the flange or lip 35 of cage 34 and hence draw shaft 36 to the left. The disc 21 is a friction disc and frictionally engages the annular flange or lip 35 so that shaft 3| will rotate together with shaft l4. As shaft 3! is drawn to the left, the friction wheel 32 will likewise be drawn to the left for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

For the purpose hereinafter appearing, there is rotatably mounted on an axis inclined to the axis of shaft 3|, a shaft 40. Shaft 40 is rotatably supported on a pair of spaced bearings 4|. In-

[terposed between the bearings 4| and fixed abutments &2 are coil compression springs 43 which serve to press shaft 60 towards shaft 3!. The shaft ift is non-slidably mounted on the bearings ii. On shaft Qt is a friction cone 43 adapted to contact the friction wheel 32. In fact the springs 413 press the friction cone 44 against the friction wheel 32. On shaft 48, and between the bearings, is a bevel gear 45, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Rotatably and non-slidably mounted on suitable bearings 50 is the output shaft 12, which is co-axial with shaft H. On said output shaft is' a gear 5! meshing with the bevel gear 45. It will be noted that shaft I2 is co-axial with shafts H, id and 3|. When the shaft H is stationary,

the friction Wheel 32 is substantially at the high or right end of cone 54. It will be noted that the cone is tangent to a plane parallel to the axis of shaft 3| so that as the speed of shaft H increases and the governor weights fly out, shaft 3! will be pulled to the left, but the friction wheel 32 will remain in contact with the cone 44.

It will now be understood that the transmission is through shaft H, governor l3, shaft 14, coupling 3U, shaft 3!, shaft 3la, friction wheel 32, friction cone 44, gears 45 and 5! to output shaft i2. As shaft II begins to turn, the output shaft I2 will rotate at a low speed and the output speed will increase at an accelerated speed as the input speed increases. Little power is required to start rotation of the output shaft because it starts at very low speed. Under load the increase in speed is more gradual because coupling 3! under such conditions decreases speed of output shaft 12 in addition to the fact that when the input drive is loaded the governor ;would still further decrease output speed at a (slowing up) rate of speed. In case of a hill when the motor connected to shaft II is overloaded and slows down, shaft l2 will slow down still further to permit the vehicle to more easily climb the hill and thereby using the full power of the'motor. When travelling on level roads, the

speed increases with acceleration quickly, still using substantially full load.

When riding a level road, the car is geared almost to its highest capacity for a particular input speed. When coasting, it is geared to its fullest capacity for that speed. When accelerating or going up-hill the car goes into, lower gear (as explained before) which makes the car accelerate without overloading the motor. The

gear range quickly goes back to its high for that speed, automatically. When no load is encountered. The clutch 21, 35 could be adjusted to disengage only when idling at very low speed. If the governor spring lBa is stronger than the pull springs 3le, shaft i l will move more quickly than shaft 3| causing free Wheeling when the drive (accelerator pedal) is released. If the pull springs 31c are stronger than the governor springs, shaft 3| will move back faster than shaft l4, thereby keeping the friction clutch 21, 3'5 engaged until the stop is reached. Then the clutch will disengage upon the drive slowing down. The stop 3L1 can be so adjusted or located that the clutch will disengage at idling speeds.

It will further be understood that when the shaft 3! is rotating at low or normal speeds, the

pins 3lb will remain as shown in the drawing. However, should the drive encounter a big load, the pins 3 lb will slide in the cam slots 3! g thereby moving shaft 3m to the right, looking at Fig. 1 and putting the gearing into a lower register. When such action occurs, the spring 35h is tensioned and tends to bring the shaft 31a back to normal longitudinal position when the load decreases. It will therefore be understood that normally, the shafts 3! and 3Ia rotate together but in case of load there is relative rotation between said shafts as well as relative sliding movement to change the gear register.

If desired the governor can be eliminated and a manual clutch substituted for clutch 21, 34, 35. In such event the length of slots 319 could be substantially the same length as cone 44, and the wheel 32 would 'be at the small end of the cone when not turning. The starting load would then move wheel 32 toward the large end of the cone to start the output shaft at lower speed. Before the output shaft starts to turn, the wheel 32 moves to a point where it can start rotating the cone and hence the output shaft.

If desired the governor can be adjusted for just enough movement to actuate the clutch 21, 34, 35, and in such case the coupling 31f would be of the length of the cone and operate as described above.

Furthermore if desired coupling 3H may be eliminated so that the governor will move the wheel 32 the length of cone 44.

Flexible shafts or desirable gearing could be interposed in slots I4 or 3| to arrange the output shaft at any desirable angle relative to the input shaft.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a transmission or variable drive llia, embodying the invention, and illustrating a modified construction. In Fig. 10a, 60 designates an input shaft which may be connected to the motor of a vehicle, and Si indicates the output shaft which may be connected by suitable gearing to the wheels of the vehicle.

Slidably mounted in any suitable support (not shown) is a yoke 62 having parallel arms 63 and 64. Arm E3 is provided with a bearing 65. R0- tatably mounted in the bearing 65 is a shaft 65. Shaft 63 is non-slidable relative to bearing 65. Shaft 66 is furthermore provided with an integral sleeve 61 formed with an opening or socket 68 coaxial with shaft 60; Fixed to shaft Si] is an eX- tension 69 slidably engaged within the opening 68. Interconnecting shafts 6i! and BB is a speed governor l0. Said governor comprises a collar 1| fixed to shaft 66 and provided with apertured ears l2. Pivoted to the ears 12 are links 73. The governor further comprises a plurality of weights 14 each provided with a pair of ears and 16. Links 13 connect the ears 12 with the cars 75. On sleeve 7.: 61 are ears 7"! connected by links 78 to the ears 76.

f The shaft 60 is nonslidably mounted in any suit- -..able bearings.

It will now be understood.that.as the shaft fill increases inspeed, the weights 14 will fly out, thereby causing shaft 66 to slide to the left as it rotates. Such movement {of shaft 66 will pull the yoke- '62'to'the lefttherewith. ,On shaft :65 and disposed'withinthe yoke. is a gear 80. Armed is parallel to arm 63 andis provided with a longitudinal slot 8 l. Slidably mounted within the slot is a bearing 82. Extending through the bearing ,82 is ashaft 83. On shaft 83 is a gear-34 meshing with gear 88. The-bearing 82-is provided with 2 .collarsiltengaging-oppositesides of yoke arm 64.

Shaft 83=is non-slidably connected to'bearing 82. It will now be understood that as the yoke 62 is pulled to the left, it will also pull shaft 83 to the left as said shaft rotates. On shaft 83 is a small friction cone 81. On the output shaft BI is a large cone B5, frictionally engaging the cone 81. It will be noted that the cones 81 and 85 point in opposite directions.

On shaft 83 is a sleeve 90 connected by coil compression spring 9! to a fixed anchor 92. Spring 9| tends to press the cone B'Iagainst the cone 85. It will now be understood that as the speed of shaft 60 increases, shaft 66 will be pulled to the left, pulling yoke 62 to the left therewith. Such movement of the yoke 62 will carry shaft 83 to the left and move cone 81 down to the small end of the large cone 85 thereby increasing the speed of the output shaft progressively. Shaft 83 may tilt due to the sliding connection of bearing 82 in the slotted arm 64.

It will be understood that the cones 81, 85 may be replaced by friction discs at right angles to each other so that the shaft 6| will be at right angles to the shaft 83, g

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

its various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a non-slidable, rotary shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a governor connecting said shafts, a second rotary and slidable shaft, friction means to interconnect said rotary and slidable shafts, means to limit movement of said second rotary and slidable shaft in one direction, a friction wheel on the second rotary and slidable shaft, a rotary friction cone contacting said friction wheel, an output shaft, and gearing connecting said output shaft with said friction cone.

2. In combination, a non-slidable, rotary shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a governor connecting said shafts, a second rotary and slidable shaft, friction means to interconnect said rotary and slidable shafts, means to limit movement of said second rotary and slidable shaft in one direction, a friction wheel on the second rotary and slidable shaft, a rotary friction cone contacting said friction wheel, an output shaft, gearing connecting said output shaft with said friction cone, and spring means to press said friction cone against said friction wheel.

3. An input rotary shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft co-axial therewith, a governor interconnecting' :said'rshafts, a second rotary' and slidable t shaft',:-means to connect said rotary and slidable shafts for rotation andsliding movementymeans :..to limit movement of said second irotary -ahd 5 slidable l shaft in one direction, a" friction -drive member on the second rotary -an'd slidable shaft,

-'and a friction cone in contact with said'fricti'on and drive member.

, 4. An' input-rotary-shaft, 'a rotary and slidable 10 shaft co axial therewith; a governoninterc'onnecting-said shaftsg'a second rotary and'slidable zshaft means to connect said rotaryand slidable shaftsfor-rotation and sliding movementfimeans to limit movement of said secondrotary and slidable shaft -m member on the second rotary and. slidable shaft, a friction cone incontact with said friction and drive member, and spring means to maintain the friction drive member and friction cone in frictional contact.

5. A drive comprising an input rotary and nonslidable shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a speed governor interconnecting said first two shafts, a second slidable and rotary shaft, a friction clutch interconnecting said rotary and slidable shafts, a third rotary and slidable shaft, means connecting said second and third rotary and slidable shafts to permit relative rotation and sliding movement therebetween, spring means interconnecting said second and third slidabl and rotary shafts, a friction wheel on said third rotary and slidable shaft, and a friction cone engaging said friction wheel, and means to limit movement of said third rotary and slidable shaft in one direction.

6. A drive comprising an input rotary and nonslidable shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a speed governor interconnecting said first two shafts, a second slidable and rotary shaft, a friction clutch interconnecting said rotary and slidable shafts, a third rotary and slidable shaft, means connecting said second and third rotary and slidable shafts to permit relative rotation and sliding movement therebetween, a friction wheel on said third rotary and slidable shaft, a friction cone engaging said friction wheel, spring means interconnecting said second and third slidable and rotary shafts, and spring means tending to move said third slidable and rotary shaft in one direction and means to limit movement of said third rotary and slidable shaft in one direction.

7. In combination, a non-slidable, rotary shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a governor connecting said shafts, a second rotary and slidable shaft, clutch means to interconnect said rotary and slidable shafts, means to limit movement of said second rotary and slidable shaft in one direction, a friction wheel on the second slidable and rotary shaft, a rotary friction cone, contacting said friction wheel, an output shaft, and gearing connecting said output shaft with said friction cone.

8. In combination, a non-slidable, rotary shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a governor connecting said shafts, a second rotary and slidable shaft, clutch means to interconnect said rotary and slidable shafts, means to limit movement of said second rotary and slidable shaft in one direction, a friction wheel on the second slidable and rotary shaft, a rotary friction cone contacting said friction wheel, an output shaft, and gearing connecting said output shaft with said friction cone, and spring means to press said friction cone against said friction wheel.

9. A drive comprising an input rotary and nonone direction, a friction drive slidable shaft, a rotary and slidable shaft, a REFERENCES CITED Speed governor interconnecting said first two The following references are of record in the shafts, a second slidable and rotary shaft, a me of this patent.

clutch means interconnecting said rotary and slidable shafts,a third rotary and slidable shaft, UNITED STATES PATENTS means connecting said second and third rotary Number Name Dat and slidable shafts to permit relative rotation 1,246,683 Tooth Nov. 13, 1917 and sliding movement therebetween, spring 1,428,326 Fay sept. 5, 1922 means connecting said second and third slidable and rotary shafts, a friction wheel on said third in FOREIGN PATENTS rotary and slidable shaft, a friction cone engagu ber Country Date ing said friction wheel and means to limit move- 321,231 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1929 ment of said third rotary and slidable shaft in 600,149 France Nov. 3, 1925 one direction. 798,244 France Mar. 2, 1936 MAXTEIGMAN. 436,705 Germany NOV. 6, 1926 

